Isaiah 40:1-11

I. The comfort and assurance of pardon (Isaiah 40:1-2)

A. Comfort in the New Testament (Matthew 5:4; Romans 15:4-5; 1 Corinthians 14:3; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:18)
B. Comfort through companionship with God (1 John 1:6-7; 2 Cor. 12:7-10)

II. Preparation for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3-5)

A. Common practice for ancient Near East rulers
B. Prophecy of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23)
C. Preparation through repentance (Luke 3:3, 10-14; Matthew 25:31-45; James 2:14-17; Luke 19:8; Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 6:5-9)

III. The endurance of God’s Word (Isaiah 40:6-8)

A. Brevity of life (James 1:9-11; cf. Matthew 6:19-21)
B. Man’s inability to save himself (1 Peter 1:22-25)

IV. Shout the good news! (Isaiah 40:9-11)

A. The message goes forth out of Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4)
B. The Messiah is God’s “arm” (Isaiah 51:4-5; 52:7-10; 53:1; Luke 1:51)
C. The Good Shepherd (John 10:14)
D. Characterized by strength and tenderness (Matthew 11:29)